Helen Martha Schwarz, daughter of George and Maud Laidlaw and sister to Esther, Trudy, Lillian, and Bea, passed away at the age of 98 on January 3, 2022, after a prolonged illness. Originally from Aylmer, Helen lived in London for over 50 years. She will be dearly missed by her children Ann (Ted), Mark (Rosely) and Richard (Ling), her grandchildren Elise, David, Katie, Laura, Michelle, Nathan, Ben, Naomi, Rebecca, Esther, Jon, Daniel, and Christina, and her nine great-grandchildren.
Known for her sense of humour and adventurous spirit, Helen sincerely loved her family and God and had a deep compassion for refugees and students. She was an avid supporter of university student ministries and taught ESL to new Canadians for many years after retiring from her career as a teacher.
Helen believed teaching was her calling. She began her long career of teaching primary school and music at the age of 17 in a one-room school which eventually led to teaching in London, ON until her retirement at age 64. Her sense of wonder and adventure could be seen in her interest in nature, stars, volcanoes, and rocks, her travels to Europe and Iceland, and her numerous trips to Nepal.
Throughout her life, Helen taught her family to love and serve God, take risks, play practical jokes, and welcome refugees. She instilled in them a love for the outdoors through hiking, gardening, stargazing, birdwatching, and rock collecting. As a family, these values will continue to remind us of our mother, and we will pass them on to our future generations.
A public Celebration of Life will be announced in May 2022. In the meantime, we welcome having messages and memories posted on the Memory Wall found on her memorial page. In lieu of flowers and to commemorate Helen’s love for children and the outdoors, donations to Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship of Canada – Pioneer Camp Ontario are greatly appreciated by her family.
Visit www.henrywalser.com to view Helen’s memorial.
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Helen Martha Schwarz Monday January 3rd 2022..
Death notice for the town of: Kitchener, Province: Ontario